V-mail: Feb. 16

Q: Jamaal Tinsley and Iowa State are playing real good ball right now, but tell me this -- if Marcus Fizer were still there, would they be No. 1 right now? And do you see them as a sleeper for the Final Four? -- Ajuan Armstrong, Chester, Pa.

VITALE: We can play the "if" game all the way down the line. If Duke had Elton Brand, Corey Maggette and William Avery along with the likes of Shane Battier, plus Jason Williams and Mike Dunleavy coming off the bench, they'd probably have a good shot at No. 1 one as well. You can "if" your life away if you want. Of course, Fizer would help them immeasurably. He stretches defenses and has the power inside force that teams would really have to concentrate on, leaving others wide open. But Larry Eustachy isn't thinking about what could be happening if he had Marcus Fizer. He just rolled up his sleeves and went to work with what he has on his roster, who have been sensational -- especially the phenomenal backcourt of Jamaal Tinsley and Kantrail Horton.

	Duke's Mike Krzyzewski has become college basketball's unofficial statesman.

Q: Why did Coach K play his top six players so long during Duke's blowout over N.C. State? -- Dave, Charlotte, N.C.

VITALE: When you look at his roster, that is the team Coach K has been utilizing all season long. It's a situation where he is so comfortable with those kids and he feels he wants them on the floor. He wants them to develop the rhythm and timing they need to win. When you look at his clubs over the years, he's not a guy that goes to the bench a great deal. Every coach has different philosophies about that. It's pretty tough to argue with his success.

Q: Boston College has been one of the biggest surprises in college hoops this season. Just how long do you think the Eagles can continue their winning ways? Where do you think they will be seeded and do they have a chance to make a serious run at the Final Four? As for Al Skinner, what are his chances at Coach of the Year? -- Justin Kelly, Boston

VITALE: Right now it's a bit early to talk about seeding. So much can happen between now and selection Sunday. They lost in Connecticut and they have another tough game next week at Notre Dame. But this club is definitely having a phenomenal year. Al Skinner is a guy, along with Matt Doherty, who should get a lot of votes for National Coach of the Year. He took a team that no one was projecting to be a top 15 club and they've been hanging there all year. The Eagles are a very dangerous team. Any time you get scoring like they do out of Troy Bell and Xavier Singletary you can create problems for teams.

Q: Why isn't Illinois ranked ahead of Michigan State in the ESPN/coaches poll? You were at the game -- didn't Illinois prove itself? Besides, they went down to Purdue and didn't let down. Is MSU's win over UNC carrying their ranking? -- Joseph Cali, Lombard, Ill.

VITALE: I don't know if that's the case. The people who rank teams look at their entire seasons. A win over Kentucky doesn't hurt their case either. You have to look at the long term, not individual games, especially when you win on your own floor like Illinois did. I don't want to take anything away from their victory but it was at home. People have that in their minds when they vote. In many cases these votes come down to nothing more than popularity. The one beauty of college basketball is everybody is equal at tournament time.

Q: I bleed Carolina blue, but my question is about another ACC team. What else does Georgia Tech have to do to get the recognition it deserves? The Yellow Jackets sit a half-game out of third in the ACC, have a better record than Virginia and Wake Forest, and have wins over Kentucky, UCLA, Virgina and Maryland. Remember, they play in the toughest conference in America. -- Michael Thomas, Jacksonville, N.C.

VITALE: They actually beat Virginia twice, I believe. But I think they have been getting some recognition lately. I know we've been singing their praises all year. Paul Hewitt has done an amazing job with this team. He's gotten his kids to believe. They're getting great performances out of Akins, Alvin Jones and Halston Lane has won a lot of games with his smooth, left-handed jumpshot. As for playing in the ACC, most of the time teams will benefit come tournament time from playing in the conference. There's no question they will be one of six teams to make the tournament out of the ACC.

Q: Being a loyal Buckeye fan here in Columbus, I can't help but smile at the success of Jim O'Brien and the Ohio State basketball team here in the last two years. Even with the loss of their two best point players, the team is still succeeding. How do you view Ohio State's future over the next few years? -- Charlie J, Columbus, Ohio

VITALE: Jim O'Brien has come through this year with leadership and poise. A lot of people thought this would be a rebuilding year with the loss of Michael Redd and Scoonie Penn, yet they've gotten some quality wins. Brian Brown was sensational in their win over Michigan St. They beat Purdue on the road as well. The Buckeyes have come out of nowhere and will likely be in the field for the tournament.

	Kareem Rush (left) will attempt to get Missouri past many Big 12 obstacles next season.

Q: Will Missouri's chances for getting an at-large berth be in jeopardy because of the loss of Kareem Rush? -- Jerry Lampe, Omaha, Neb.

VITALE: His injury doesn't help at all. The people on the selection committee will evaluate how the Tigers play without Rush. Obviously, if they win their share of games without him, it won't be a factor. But if they start losing without him, they're going to take that into account when they're handing out bids. It's a major consideration in the evaluation process.

Q: What do you think Indiana has in store for Mike Davis? He has done a remarkable job despite having no seniors and six kids with no Division I experience. As I write you (on Feb. 12) he is tied for third place in the Big Ten and the Hoosiers continue to get better each week. With quality wins against Notre Dame on the road, Charlotte, Michigan State and Penn State on the road, how can he not get the head coaching job? He has proved himself a capable coach and the players love him! -- Steve, Laporte, Ind.

VITALE: The Hoosiers have a very young basketball team. All those kids return next year and you make a great point, Steve. Mike Davis has taken this team and they've just gotten better and better. That's what you like to see out of a team. He's earning the right to get a chance to coach this team. They're going to earn a tournament bid and could have challenged for the Big Ten title had they not lost a couple heartbreakers that they allowed to slip away early in the year. But with Jared Jeffries and Kirk Haston, who will hopefully stay in school rather than run to the NBA, the future for Indiana is really bright. Davis' situation will be judged when they get a new athletic director. All he can do is what he's doing now, preparing the team and continuing to win.

Q: I agree with a statement on your Web page that the medium-range jump shot is a lost art. If you were to pick the college basketball player with the best medium-range jumper, who would it be? My pick is Frank Williams of Illinois. He can hit the driving 10-to-15 footer as well as anyone I have seen this year. He is especially good at this come crunch time. -- Nate Cox, Rantoul, Ill.

VITALE: Frank does a really great job with the shot. So does Joseph Forte. But the shot is lost because kids are taking a step or two back to get the extra point. You can't blame them. But if you want to be a big time scorer it should be part of your arsenal along with a long-range jumper and the ability to take it to the rack.

Q: Have you had an opportunity to see Ole Miss play this year? What are your thoughts about the trio from Jackson Provine -- David Sanders, Aaron Harper and Justin Reed? -- Andre Ducote, Ridgeland, Miss.

VITALE: I haven't seen them play in person, but I've watched them and have been very impressed. The two Diaper Dandies, Harper and Reed, have been especially impressive. They defend very well and they've had some quality wins. It's been a strong year all year long in a conference where there are no cupcakes. You gotta give them the respect they deserve. Like Boston College in the Big East, they don't get the national PR that others get, but their peers certainly know they can play.